HCA Trauma Care Network to Expand in FL

“Our goal is to have Florida be the safest state in the nation,” Klasko says. “This network will provide the state’s trauma patients with consistent and state-of-the-art care.”

David J. Smith Jr., MD, chair of the USF Department of Surgery, says TRAC data from five hospitals will identify trends that might not be noticed at one hospital. “Florida TRAC will help doctors learn how to better treat trauma patients, whether they are injured in car crashes or suffering from heart attacks,” Smith says.

USF will name a chief trauma medical director to oversee the network and appoint a medical director of trauma at each hospital, as well as helping to recruit needed specialists.

The five HCA hospitals are:

1. Blake Medical Center, in Manatee County;
2. Kendall Regional Medical Center, in Miami-Dade County;
3. Lawnwood Medical Center, in St Lucie County;
4. Orange Park Medical Center, in Clay County;
5. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, in Pasco County. 

All of the hospitals have applied for Level II Trauma Center designation. Lawnwood is approved and operating, and the other four hospitals are in the application process.